April 2023
Natasha L
Spencer
,
MSN, RN, CEN
Emergency Department
Mercy Hospital
Durango
,
CO
United States
Natasha cared for this child by sitting next to him and talking him through every part of his care. Natasha identified how this child self-soothed through her communication and listening skills.
Natasha stayed late after her shift was over to help me (the primary RN) care for a pediatric trauma with autism who had sustained several life threatening injuries after a head on MVC along with an extremely complex social situation. Natasha cared for this child by sitting next to him and talking him through every part of his care. Natasha identified how this child self-soothed through her communication and listening skills and was able to decipher that when the child asked for milk, it meant he was in pain and required more pain medication. This patient had 3 fractures on 3 different extremities and one of them was an open fracture. The patient's social situation heavily impacted his care, as the father, who was at the hospital, was unable to come to console his child or be part of his care due to an active restraining order against him. Mom had recently gained custody of this child about a week ago, but mom was dead on the scene. Natasha consoled and comforted this patient for the entire duration of his stay until the flight crew departed with him to UNM several hours later. Toward the end of the visit, the child called Natasha “momma” and wanted to “go home with you and have a glass of milk” instead. Natasha’s help with this patient freed me up to focus on his medical needs. I believe she truly touched this child’s life significantly and deserves the utmost recognition for her compassion.